Cavaliers vs. Nets NBA Odds, Preview and Pick (Archive)
We’ve got an early playoff preview as the Brooklyn Nets host the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers. A few weeks ago, the Cavs looked destined to be hosting a first-round playoff game for the first time since the LeBron James era. Instead, they find themselves barely holding on to the seven seed with the Nets hot on their heels.
The Cavs need to get things in gear before the start of the playoffs next week. Which way to lean at the best sportsbooks?
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets
Friday, April 08, 2022 – 07:30 PM EDT at Barclays Center
Both Teams Have Been Very Inconsistent
At one point, the Cleveland Cavaliers were the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference and seemed destined to host a playoff game. Since the All-Star Break, this team has really struggled and now finds themselves struggling to hold on to the 7th seed. Tonight they head to Brooklyn to face a Nets team that has underperformed in the regular season for a variety of reasons.
They have played a little better recently going 6-4, including their last two in a row. Tonight they host the Cavs as -8 home favorites at the NBA odds.
Join Now: $1,000 BMR 12-Week All Sports Challenge
Cleveland has really been struggling as of late, going 3-7 in their last ten. The truth is, both of these teams have been wildly inconsistent the last two months and are suffering the consequences. Brooklyn should be contending for the Eastern Conference crown but instead will have to get in via the play in the tournament.
That's probably bad news for the teams at the top half of the East but it's not like it's an ideal scenario for this team either. Ben Simmons doesn't seem like he'll be playing basketball this season so this team will need to figure out how to get it done with this current group.
Cavs Need to Figure Things Out Fast
The Cavs don't have the same luxury Brooklyn does offensively. In Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, Brooklyn has two of the best scorers of their generation. Those two can single-handedly win games for their team and together, if everything goes right, contend for a title. Cleveland has to go about it the old fashion way, defense wins championships.
To be clear, these Cavs are not NBA championship contenders. They are a team that can do damage in the playoffs if they are playing at their best. They are a team that nobody will want to face but with the way they've been playing since returning from the All-Star break, that isn't true. This team is 8-14 since then and their defense is what has let them down.
Get Involved: NBA Basketball Betting Forum
When everything is going right, this is an elite defense. To further illustrate that point, in this 22 game run since the break, their defense ranks 24th in the league in terms of efficiency. Even with that, on the season, they're still in the top 6 in that category. The offense is this team's weakness so if they don't pick things up on the defensive end soon, their season could be done in the play-in tournament which starts on April 12th.
My official NBA pick on this game will be on the Under 233.5 (-110) which is available at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review). The total opened at 228.5 and has been steamed all the way up to a number that I believe is simply too high given the stakes.
Cleveland needs this game and although I don't think they will win, if the total goes over, I know they'll probably get blown out and I don't think that happens. This game will have a playoff-like atmosphere and I'm taking the under given that scenario.
NBA Pick: Under 233.5 (-110) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.